The Port Book and News in Port Angeles, where Bella finds the book about the Quileute legends. (Bob Harbick/QMI Agency)

The Twilight experience in Port Angeles Destinations famous in the movies Destinations made famous in books Visiting 'Twilight' towns in Washington

WASHINGTON STATE - To round off your Twilight experience on the American north-west coast, one has to stop in Port Angeles, a small coastal town midway between Seattle and Forks where several important moments of Stephanie Meyer’s novel take place.

At the top of the list of Twilight sites to visit in Port Angeles, there’s the Bella Italia restaurant, where Edward and Bella have their first romantic encounter. That’s where Bella orders the famous dish of mushroom ravioli.

Let it be known that the restaurant has been in business for 14 years and harboured the name Bella Italia way before the character of Bella in Twilight was ever born. Stephanie Meyer had called the restaurant’s owner before she started writing the first book of her famous saga in order to get information about the menu.

“She called us during the fall, the mushroom season in the Olympic Peninsula region. It’s during this season that we serve the mushroom ravioli dish. Since Bella is a vegetarian, it’s what she decided to eat while dining with Edward”, says Neil Conklin, the owner of the restaurant.

The mushroom ravioli dish has become quite popular since the books and films were published. “We get so many requests for the dish that we’ve decided to include it in our regular menu," adds Conklin.

On East 1st Street, the town’s main artery, you’ll find the Port Book and News bookstore, where Bella purchased her book on the Quileute legends. A similar book, because the one in the film is a Hollywood creation, actually exists and you can buy it at the store.

Still on East 1st Street, the Black Diamond Bridal dress store is just like the one where Bella helps her friends pick their prom dresses. The store provides replicas of the prom dresses and Bella’s anniversary dress which are worn in the movies, dresses that the fans can purchase.

A second Dazzled by Twilight boutique has opened its doors in the area, which also happens to be located on Port Angeles’ main artery. The new boutique is smaller than the original one located in Forks, but offers enough related products to satisfy the most demanding fans of either the Edward clan or the Jacob clan.

To perfectly cap off the evening, what better than catching a film at Port Angeles movie theatre, where Bella had organised a meeting with her friends?

It’s also in Port Angeles that Edward saves Bella in a nick of time from a street gang. For those who dare to venture off through Port Angeles’ dark alleyways or jump on someone’s motorcycle, let it be known that there’s no guarantee that Edward will be there to save you!